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Planning commission approves Major Thoroughfare Plan amendment to realign South Margin and Caruthers Parkway
Summary
Franklin Municipal Planning Commission voted to recommend adoption of Amendment 6 to the Major Thoroughfare Plan, approving a revised alignment for South Margin Street in downtown and a new Caruthers Parkway alignment south of Long Lane in the Goose Creek area after staff presentation and one public speaker.
The Franklin Municipal Planning Commission voted to recommend adoption of Resolution 2025-04, Amendment 6 to the Major Thoroughfare Plan, approving changes to the roadway network at South Margin Street in downtown Franklin and a realignment of Caruthers Parkway south of Long Lane.
Staff told the commission the South Margin change responds to proposed development in the Margin District and would realign the intersection with Ninth Avenue; a traffic impact analysis submitted by the developer indicates higher volumes are likely to shift onto Cummins Street and East Folk Street. On the Caruthers Parkway segment, staff said the alignment was revised after extensive public outreach and about a dozen alternatives were studied before settling on the current option.
Greg Gamble, appearing on behalf of an absent landowner, told the commission the proposed Caruthers alignment reflects substantial coordination among property owners and landowners who agreed to the new route. “A lot of work has gone into this,” Gamble said, noting owners rode the route on ATVs and discussed preferred alignment on site.
Commissioners asked whether the revised Caruthers alignment would increase construction costs. Staff said consultants studied earthwork and found the selected routing would not substantially increase grading costs and that some savings could occur because nearby property owners are expected to participate in development and provide opportunities to reuse spoils.
Commissioners also raised concerns about traffic patterns on East Folk Street, which staff said is a collector roadway and could be funded by collector impact fees as surrounding properties develop. Staff noted driver patterns are difficult to predict until construction is complete and pointed to a future signal at South Margin and Lewisburg Pike that could affect turning movements.
The commission voted by roll call to recommend adoption of the amendment to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen. Commissioners recorded ayes from Allen, Franks, Lindsey, Mann, McLemore, Orr, Alderman Peterson and Williamson; Harrison was absent. The motion passed.
The planning staff said, if approved, design concepts in the area will be revisited and additional amendments to Envision Franklin may be returned to the commission in the coming months to reflect the new road alignment.
